Spine saver auxiliary support apparatus for bench press and method for using same

ABSTRACT

The spine saver device is an assistive device which slides over a standard bench used for bench pressing weights. The spine saver device straddles the bench of the equipment and includes a leg support pad with two recesses designed to accept and position the user&#39;s legs for desired lumbar support when performing bench press movements and lifting.

This application is based upon and claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 62/444,431, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Applicants' invention relates to a device for cradling an athlete's legs and method for using same. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus that positions the legs while the athlete does a bench press lift and provides the athlete an opportunity to use a full range of motion, while isolating the specific muscles groups for which the bench press lift is intended.

Background Information

The bench press exercise is practiced by many athletes, bodybuilders, and other health conscious individuals. The bench press is popular because of its ability to maximize the growth of the chest muscles, or pectoralis major. The bench press is used for chest development that not only stimulates more muscle, but also builds usable strength. As with virtually every weight training exercise, form is extremely important when performing the bench press. Executed correctly, the bench press can pack muscle onto the torso. Alternatively, compromising the posture while performing the bench press can lead to injury. The shoulder's large range of motion and shallow socket in part make it and surrounding soft tissue susceptible to injuries. Common shoulder injuries include a glenoid labrum tear, torn rotator cuff muscle and shoulder impingement syndrome. Lifting weight that is too heavy and overtraining can further increase your risk of injury. Finally, the improper bench press technique of exaggerating the arch in the back can lead to back pain or injury.

Arching the lower back can produce stress on the Sacroiliac joint. A slight arch—lifting the chest, pulling the shoulder blades down and back, and having an anterior tilt in the pelvis may be fine for the user doing the bench press assuming that position is maintained as the user lies back. A user that excessively arches purposefully tries to shorten the distance between the shoulder blades and the butt. Often this is a way to “cheat” by getting other muscles to help the lift. This can reduce the effectiveness of the exercise, but even worse can lead to injury and soreness.

The invention is directed to an improvement to the equipment and techniques for performing bench press exercises safely and easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of this invention, namely, the spine saver device is a simple yet sturdy assistive device which slides easily and quickly over a standard bench used for bench pressing. The device straddles the bench of the equipment and positions the user's legs for optimal lumbar support when performing bench press movements.

In a traditional bench press movement, a user has his feet flat on the floor with the lower back arched and under significant strain while the movement is executed (See FIG. 8). As an alternative, the user may sometimes place the feet on the bench and bend the knees sharply (See FIG. 9), but this still does not position the lower back optimally for safe, painless execution of the bench press movement. By elevating a user's legs into a supine seated position, the spine saver flattens the spine and keeps the user's lower back safely connected to the bench for a healthier and more balanced lift. In addition, by removing the user's legs and lower back from the lifting movement, the upper body muscle groups are isolated and targeted more effectively, resulting in greater overall strength gains.

The spine saver comes in incremental sizes, and may be adjustable in height and in its position relative to the bench of the equipment, so as to accommodate all users by elevating the upper and lower legs, which remain comfortably stable and balanced throughout the lift movement.

The spine saver device is a durable, mobile addition to the traditional bench press equipment. The device has been tested by controlled groups for all ages, ranging from athletes in middle school to professional athletes at the highest levels of competition. Whether at home or in the gym, the spine saver will be a valuable asset to any fitness regimen. The spine saver device provides an orthopedic surgeon-approved method for properly using the bench press to gain strength while protecting the lower back from permanent injury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the current invention for use in conjunction with existing bench press equipment for optimally positioning the user's legs and back.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of this invention when positioned for use with bench press equipment (weight bar omitted).

FIG. 3 is a top plan elevation of the device of this invention and associated bench press equipment.

FIG. 4 side elevation of the device of this invention and associated bench press equipment.

FIG. 5 is an end elevation of the device of this invention and associated bench press equipment.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the leg positioning pad of the equipment of this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the leg positioning pad of the equipment of this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an example of existing bench press equipment of the prior art, showing the user lying face-up or supine on the bench with feet on floor for the bench press exercise motion.

FIG. 9 is a view of an alternative prior art technique with feet on bench and knees bent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

10 Spine saver device  24 Support frame 12 Leg  26 Height adjuster 12a Leg first end  28 Center shoulder 12b Leg second end  30a First side shoulder 14 Floor brace  30b Second side shoulder 16 Top bar  32 Feet 18 Support brace 100 Bench 20 Leg support pad 102 Head end 20a support pad top 104 Legs end 20b support pad bottom 106 Rack 22 Recess

Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the spine saver device 10. The spine saver device 10 has a support frame 24 formed of a pair of legs 12 attached near their first ends 12 a to opposing ends of a horizontal support brace 18. The first and second legs 12 extend generally vertically down to the ground. At the ground level, floor braces 14 may be attached to the legs second ends 12 b in order to provide enhanced stability for the spine saver device 10. The floor braces 14 may have a multiplicity of feet 32 attached to them. The legs 12 may, along their length, bend or be angled outwardly to the sides, positioning the lower portions of the legs 12 away from the bench 100.

A top bar 16 (FIG. 5) and a support brace 18 extend laterally and connect near the top ends of the leg first ends 12 a. The device is designed to straddle the bench 100 to position the user's legs at an desired distance above the bench 100. A leg support pad, or transverse support bar, 20 is positioned and attached at the top, or first end 12 a, of the legs 12 of the support frame 24. The leg support pad 20 extends laterally in parallel with the support brace 18.

When in use, the spine saver device 10 is positioned such that the leg support pad 20 extends transversely above the bench 100 (as shown in more detail in FIGS. 8 and 9). The legs 12 are sized in order that the spine saver device 10 can be positioned about the bench 100. Additionally, the legs' 12 length may be adjusted using a height adjust 26. Or, the support frame 24 includes a mechanism 26 (as described above) to adjust the height of the leg support pad 20. In one embodiment, it is anticipated that the legs 12 may be made from hollow tubing and in two pieces in which the leg first end 12 a inner diameter, or a portion of the inner diameter, is sized to slide outside of the outer diameter, or a portion of the outer diameter, of the leg second end 12 b in a telescopic movement when urged upwardly or downwardly. The telescopic movement may be arrested by a height adjuster 26. The height adjuster 26 is anticipated to be any number of known stops such as pins, screws, bolts, friction inducers, clamps, a pin and pin-opening arrangement, or other available height-adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment permits the user to adjust the height of the leg support pad 20 to fit the user's body dimensions.

A leg support pad 20 extends across the tops from first leg 12 a to second leg 12 b above the support brace 18. The leg support pad 20 has a top 20 a and a bottom 20 b. The leg support pad 20 has a pair of side-by-side recesses 22 in the support pad top 20 a that are sized and shaped to receive the user's calves. The recesses 22 are generally semi-cylindrically shaped for comfortable positioning of the user's legs. The recesses 22 are separated by a center shoulder 28 and flanked by two side shoulders 30, a first side shoulder 30 a and a second side shoulder 30 b. The recesses 22 not only hold the user's legs up so that the user does not arch his or her back, but the recesses 22 also help keep the user positioned on the bench 100.

Before performing a bench press exercise, the user adjusts the position of the spine saver device 10 along the bench 100, generally about the leg end 104, and adjusts the height of the leg support pad 20. The user then positions him or herself on the bench 100 lying face-up, and places his or her legs on the leg support pad 20 with the calves resting comfortably in the two respective recesses 22. This orients the user's legs so that the lumbar portion of the user's back, i.e., the small of the back, is optimally positioned for safe execution of the bench press lift.

Equivalent auxiliary leg support benches could be constructed with floor support that is different from the legs 12 of this embodiment, so long as the leg support pad 20 can be established both front to back and vertically, for proper leg positioning. Also, the support bar or pad 20 can take on many different forms, so long as it provides proper support and positioning for the user's legs.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spine saver device 10 with the spine saver device 10 in positioned for use in conjunction with bench press 100 (weight bar omitted). In this position, the support brace 18 extends transversely across and above the bench 100 at the opposite end of the bench 100 from the weight bar rack 106. In a standard position for doing a bench press, the users head and shoulders would be at the side of the bench 100 near the rack 106, or the head end 102, a and the users legs would be at the end of the bench 100 near the spine saver device 10, or the leg end 104. The legs 12 extend vertically on either side of the bench 100, and the support brace 18 is transversely positioned above the bench 100. With this sizing and configuration, the spine saver device 10 can be slid into position over the leg end 104 of the bench 100. The spine saver device 10 is stabilized, in part, by the floor braces 14 and feet 32.

FIG. 3 is a top plan elevation of the device of this invention and associated bench press equipment. It illustrates the spine saver device 10 in position above the legs end 104 of the bench 100. In this view, the top 20 a of the leg support pad 20 is shown. The portions of the leg support pad 20 including the first side shoulder 30 a, a first recess 22, the center shoulder 28, a second recess 22, and the second side shoulder 30 b are illustrated. This view also illustrates an embodiment of the spine saver device 10 in which the legs 12 are angled outwardly near their second end 12 b as the legs 12 can be seen extending past the ends of the leg support pad 20 on both sides opposite the bench 100. The floor braces 14, with their attached multiplicity of feet 32, are shown attached at the leg second ends 12 b. In this embodiment, the leg support pad is indicated to be 8.0 inches wide, however is anticipated that the support pad 20 may be in a range of comfortable widths from approximately 2″-12″. As is also shown here, the spine saver device 10 should be positioned such that the device 10 is centered on the bench 100. In this illustration, it can be seen that the center shoulder 28 is centered along the midline of the bench 100.

FIG. 4 side elevation of the device of this invention and associated bench press equipment. This figure again illustrates the positioning of the spine saver device 10 in relation to the bench 100. As shown here, the spine saver device 10 is positioned slightly past the legs and 104 of the bench 100, and opposite the rack 106. This figure also clearly shows how the support frame 24 raises the leg support pad 20 above the top of the bench 100. In this embodiment, the floor brace 14 is illustrated as being approximately 24″ long. However, this is not intended to be limiting on the length of the floor brace 14 or even its presence on the spine saver device 10, the only engineering intent is that the spine saver device 10 be stable for the user. Thus, it is anticipated that the floor brace could be anywhere in the range of 2″-36″ long. The feet 32 can also help provide stability, particularly if the floor is uneven.

FIG. 5 is an end elevation of the device of this invention and associated bench press equipment. This figure clearly illustrates the positioning of the top bar 16 and support brace 18 in relation to the leg support pad 20. Although shown here, it is anticipated that the spine saver device 10 could be manufactured without the presence of either the top bar 16 or the support brace 18, or without both of them. This figure also illustrates one embodiment with the measurements in inches for the bench 100, rack 106 and spine saver device 10. While this is one embodiment, it is not intended to be limiting in regard to the sizing of any of the components. In each case, it is anticipated that the specific sizes would be manufactured according to a desired range of sizes.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the leg positioning pad 20 of the spine saver device 10 of one embodiment. It illustrates the sections of the leg positioning pad 20 and shows, in order, the first side shoulder 30 a, a first recess 22, the center shoulder 28, a second recess 22, and the second side shoulder 30 b.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the leg positioning pad of the equipment of this embodiment. Once again the leg positioning pad 20 of the spine saver device 10 of one embodiment is shown. Again, the sections of the leg positioning pad 20 are illustrated. In this figure, the recesses 22 which accept the users legs are clearly shown, and as can be seen, the first recess and the second recess are concave into said leg support pad. This figure also illustrates how the spine saver device 10 helps keep the users legs positioned as of the result of the user's legs being inserted into the recesses 20 and held in position by the shoulders 30 a, 28, and 30 b.

FIG. 8 is an example of existing bench press equipment of the prior art, showing the user lying face-up or supine on the bench with feet on floor for the bench press exercise motion.

FIG. 9 is a view of an alternative prior art technique with feet on bench and knees bent.

It is to be understood that the existing bench press equipment is not itself part of this invention, and can take any of a number of shapes and configurations. In order to accommodate the various bench press equipment, it is anticipated that the spine saver device 10 may be modified so as to be positionable with any such equipment.

In another embodiment, the legs 12 do not angle out, but are attached at their second end 12 b to the bench 100. This embodiment provides the necessary stability for the user when executing the bench press lift. Additionally, in yet another embodiment, the legs 12 could be rotatably attached to the bench 100 in order that the leg support pad 20 could be swung out of the way when the user enters or exits the bench 100.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. An auxiliary leg positioner device for properly positioning a person's legs and calves on a bench of a bench press equipment for desired placement of the person's back while executing a bench press movement, comprising: a leg support pad; said leg support pad further comprising a transverse member having a first recess and a second recess, both of said recesses adapted to support said calves of said legs of said person; and a support frame resting on a floor and straddling said bench of said bench press equipment and supporting said leg support pad above said bench.
 2. The auxiliary leg positioner device of claim 1 wherein said first recess and said second recess are generally semi-cylindrical.
 3. The auxiliary leg positioner device of claim 1 wherein said support frame comprises a pair of legs configured to be situated on either side of said bench.
 4. The auxiliary leg positioner device of claim 1 wherein said support frame includes a mechanism to adjust the height of said leg support pad.
 5. A spine saver device to aid in positioning a user's legs while the user performs a bench press lift on a bench, comprising: a leg support pad, further comprising, a support pad top having a center shoulder, a first recess and a second recess on opposite sides of said center shoulder, a first side shoulder adjacent to said first recess and opposite said center shoulder, and a second side shoulder adjacent to said second recess and opposite said center shoulder; wherein said first recess and said second recess are concave into said leg support pad and generally semi-cylindrical; a support frame, further comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein said first leg is attached to a first end of said leg support pad and said second leg is attached to a second end of said leg support pad; wherein said first leg and said second leg are sized so as to extend vertically on opposite sides of said bench; and wherein said support frame holds said leg support pad transversely above said bench.
 6. The spine saver device of claim 5 wherein said support frame is not attached to said bench.
 7. The spine saver device of claim 5 wherein said support frame is rotatably attached to said bench.
 8. The spine saver device of claim 6 further comprising a height adjuster that allows for the raising and lowering of said leg support pad.
 9. The spine saver device of claim 7 further comprising a height adjuster that allows for the raising and lowering of said leg support pad.
 10. The spine saver device of claim 5 further comprising a support brace having a first end and a second end, and wherein said support brace first end is attached to said first leg and said support brace second end is attached to said second leg, and wherein said support brace is positioned above said bench.
 11. The spine saver device of claim 5 further comprising a top bar having a first end and a second end, and wherein said top bar first end is attached to said first leg and said top bar second end is attached to said second leg, and wherein said top bar is positioned above said bench.
 12. The spine saver device of claim 10 further comprising a top bar having a first end and a second end, and wherein said top bar first end is attached to said first leg and said top bar second end is attached to said second leg, and wherein said top bar is positioned above said bench.
 13. The spine saver device of claim 5, further comprising: wherein said first leg and said second leg are angled outwardly along their length; a second end of said first leg is attached near a center of a first floor brace; a second end of said second leg is attached near a center of a second floor brace; a foot is attached at each end of said first floor brace; and a foot is attached at each and of said second floor brace. 